Cynthia Hicban

Cynthia Hicban

Born in Manila, Cynthia migrated to Australia as a toddler where she grew up as part of one of the area’s earliest Filipino families. Shaped by a close-knit family and her parents’ dedication to education and community Cynthia navigated social change in 1970s Australia. Today, Cynthia works as a university lecturer and researcher, and is a children’s author who supports children’s rights and helps young people share their ideas and be heard.

Curious Campbelltown Unsolved: The Case of the Missing Twins

Hosts Bess Gilmore-Lim and Melissa Arriola explore the mystery of Bridget Parker and her missing twins from 1846. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of death, alcohol dependance, and child death. Resources cited in this episode: "Police Reports." Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 - 1860) 10 October 1846: 3. from . Sydney Weekly Transcript (NSW : 1846), Saturday 25 April 1846, page 1 Blackwattle Creek and Swamp Sewer (2025) City of Sydney Archives. Available at: https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/1983358. "Mysterious Occurance", Star (Sydney, NSW : 1845 - 1846), Friday 24 April 1846, page 2‌ findagrave.com Ancestry.com Music used: Chorale 1 by vartioh -- https://freesound.org/s/131915/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Dark Mysterious Strings 2 by tyops -- https://freesound.org/s/624521/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Kirsty Jagger

Journalist, Kirsty Jagger, chats with Andrew about her fantastic debut novel "Roseghetto" and the topics it raises affecting those living in housing commission estates. The conversation turns also to some great writing advice as well as travel and book recommendations. Winner of the inaugural Kathryn Heyman Award for a writer from a background of social or economic disadvantage, Kirsty is also a journalist, communications professional and advisor. She shares some of her life story with Andrew Allen. Content Warning: This episode talks, in part, of domestic violence.

Curious Campbelltown: Ghost Talk

In this special episode Andrew recounts some ghostly goings-on from Campbelltown's past, hauntings connected with Miss Raymond's cottage, Town Hall Theatre, Denfield, and others.

Death on the Mail Train

Hosts Bess Gilmore-Lim and Melissa Arriola discuss the mysterious death of Jane Ryan, ex-postulant, in 1895. Was it foul play, or bad timing? Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of death, suicide, murder, severe illness, and religious extremism. Music used: Chorale 1 by vartioh -- https://freesound.org/s/131915/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Dark Mysterious Strings 2 by tyops -- https://freesound.org/s/624521/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Steam train horn 02 by eliasheuninck -- https://freesound.org/s/170848/ -- License: Attribution 4.0